2018-2019学年度第33期总第747期
Long walk to equality (P1)
吉林省吉林毓文中学 刘媛

Lead-in
Who is the first man to go to space?
加加林Gagarin
Who is the first woman to go to space?
捷列什科娃
Tereshkova
Who is the first Chinese woman to go to space?
刘洋

Pre-reading
Based on the title “Long walk to equality”, what do you think the article is about?

Detailed reading

Read the article carefully and answer the following questions.
1. What did Jemison think was strange about the Apollo astronauts?
They were all men--- no women could be seen.

2. Why did an all-women spacewalk fail to go ahead?
NASA didn’t have enough suits for the women.

3. When it comes to space tasks, how can we describe the ability of women?
Women are not at all less competent than men.

4. What is the author’s attitude to gender equality among astronauts in the future?
Optimistic and hopeful.

Post-reading
 
Discussion
Is there gender inequality in other careers? Can you give some examples?
Language focus
Language focus
1. That was the most absurd thing in the world…
absurd   adj.   荒谬的、可笑的
eg.  It is absurd to believe that the number 13 brings bad luck. 
2. And on March 29, another history was about to be made when an all-female team … 
be about to do    正要…… ，将要……
eg. The sun is about to sink in the west.
      I was about to go to bed, when he called
      me up.
3. … ---was scheduled to make an “all-women spacewalk” since all previous … 
schedule    v. 预定
schedule … for…
be scheduled to do 计划做……    
eg. The interview is scheduled for 10 am tomorrow. 
      He is scheduled to visit the USA next year.
4. But that plan was eventually canceled, due to spacesuit availability… 
due to   由于、因为
eg. The game was postponed due to rain.
5. … test results are not enough to fight off the world’s long-existing biases against women. 
fight off     摆脱，击退
eg. Don’t worry, I’ll fight off my cold.
6. … or how they could leave their children behind to go on space missions. 
leave ... behind   遗留、留下  
eg. I’ve left behind my smoking habit.
      He left great fame behind him.
7. … when male astronauts were never bothered by such questions. 
bother    v.    困扰、烦恼、费心
eg. Don’t bother me with stupid questions.
      I’m sorry to bother you, but can you tell me the way to the station?
8. … grown out of its absurdity in terms of gender equality. 
in terms of  从… 的角度、从…的观点      
eg. It is difficult to express it in terms of science.

Homework
Summarize the words and expressions in thearticle. 

2018-2019学年度第33期总第747期
Cambridge says yes to ‘gaokao’ (P2)
邯郸市第一中学  李松

Lead-in
Which university do you want to go after graduating from high school? 
Have you ever thought about applying to a top university abroad?
Pre-reading
1. Based on the title, can you predict what the article is about?
2. Read the first paragraph and see if your prediction is right.
Fast reading
 
Detailed reading

Read the article carefully and answer the following questions.
1. What do Chinese applicants need to do to be admitted to the university of Cambridge?
In addition to top scores on gaokao, Chinese applicants also need to meet English language requirements, participate in an interview and take a subject-specific written admission assessment.

2. Why has the gaokao been criticized?
The gaokao has been criticized by some as a one-shot exam that focuses on rote learning rather than creativity.

3. What advantages does the gaokao have according to Paul Fitzgerald?
It has the advantage of being what educational experts call a ‘criterion-referenced’ exam: It tests whether students are able to master a given body of knowledge, as well as their ability to work hard and consistently.

Summary
 
Discussion

Given that the gaokao is increasingly accepted by foreign universities, will the number of Chinese high school students applying to foreign universities increase sharply in the future? Please give your reasons.
Language focus

 
 
Expressions